Fewer children called about alcohol problems during Christmas in Norway
In 2016, the hotline for children and young people received a total of 6,000 inquiries. Fewer inquiries than before were about parents who used alcohol during Christmas. The hotline (116111) is a government program financed by The Ministry of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion Department.
Normally the month of December is typically very busy with phone calls from children who are concerned about their parents’ use of alcohol. However, in 2016 the number of inquiries decreased.
There has been a greater variety in the calls, and this is positive,” said information worker Sylwia Obuchowicz from the hotline for children and young people as reported to NRK news.
Experts hope that the trend shows that more parents exhibit greater caution and sensitivity to their children’s needs in choosing whether or not and how much alcohol to consume when they spend time together with their children.
Experts believe that the spotlight on children’s experiences of adults’ alcohol use during Christmas is part of the explanation for the decline.
Major campaigns have been launched to put the spotlight on parents to pay attention to children, especially at Christmas and the holidays,” Sylwia Obuchowicz from the hotline for children and young people said.
The IOGT campaign HVIT JUL (White Christmas) was successful this year again. More than 10.000 Norwegians pledged to spend the Christmas holidays alcohol-free, for the sake of their children.